Humanitarian crises

Fighters loyal to the army patrol a market area in Khartoum on March 24, 2025. For nearly two years, Sudan has been ravaged by a war between the regular army and the RSF, a conflict that has killed tens of thousands of people, uprooted over 12 million more and created the world's largest hunger and displacement crises. (Photo by AFP) (Photo by -/AFP via Getty Images)

Sudan: Over 40 dead, 400,000 displaced in RSF's siege on El Fasher

Over 40 people have been killed and approximately 450,000 displaced by the Rapid Support Forces' continued assault on El Fasher, with shelling targeting both civilian areas and refugee camps.

People cheers as Sudan's de facto leader, armed forces chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan arrives at the market in Port Sudan on December 29, 2024. (Photo by AFP) (Photo by -/AFP via Getty Images)

Sudan’s Burhan arrives in Turkey on heels of Eritrea visit, key victories

The talks come after a major military victory for the Sudanese army in Khartoum against the Rapid Support Forces, who are currently attempting to cement their stronghold in Darfur.

A fighter loyal to the army patrols a market area in Khartoum on March 24, 2025.

Analysis

As Sudan's genocide case against UAE opens at ICJ, legal shield under fire

The war in Sudan has been described as the world’s worst humanitarian crisis, with 14.6 million people displaced and 30.4 million in need of aid, according to the International Rescue Committee.

Jennifer Gnana

By Jennifer Gnana

In Dubai, reporting on Gulf energy policy and politics

Palestinians gather for a communal iftar.

Israel expands Gaza buffer zone to 20% as humanitarian situation deteriorates

Israel’s expanded buffer zone will cut off Gaza from Egypt and further partition the Strip, as the humanitarian crisis in the territory deepens.

Latest News

Khartoum accuses RSF of looting and destroying Sudan's heritage: What to know

The heavily damaged Shahid (Martyr) Mosque is pictured in Khartoum's Muqrin neighbourhood on March 22, 2025. Sudan's army and allied armed groups seized the country's presidential palace on March 21 in the ongoing war against the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitaries, which the RSF had used since the start of the war to house elite forces and stockpile ammunition. The military has since launched a clearing operation to push the RSF out of the city centre, retaking on March 22 several strategic state ins

Analysis

Khartoum’s advances 'watershed moment’ in Sudan war as pressure builds on RSF, foreign backers

Fighters loyal to the army patrol a market area in Khartoum on March 24, 2025.

By Rosaleen Carroll

In Washington, DC, US, reporting on the Middle East

Sudan army closes in on Khartoum's presidential palace in blow to RSF

Khartoum

Sudan brings genocide case against UAE at International Court of Justice

AFP via Getty Images

Eleven lions have been moved from the Sudan conflict zone to a sanctuary in South Africa.

Lions traumatized by Sudan war find safe haven in South African sanctuary

The war has not only created a devastating humanitarian crisis, but it has also impacted the welfare of wildlife in Sudan.

Dr Richard Brennan WHO in Gaza

WHO official: 'Never seen anything like' Rafah crisis in 30-year career

Richard Brennan, regional emergency director of the World Health Organization, told Al-Monitor that only three fully functioning hospitals are serving Gaza's population of 2.3 million people.

School Lebanon

In south Lebanon, schools resume classes as displaced shelter inside

Hezbollah steps in as municipalities struggle to respond to the growing number of displaced.

SAID KHATIB/AFP via Getty Images

Israeli troops raid Gaza's Nasser Hospital amid fears of imminent Rafah operation

As Israel presses on with its Gaza offensive amid international calls for cease-fire, Israeli forces stormed a hospital in Khan Younis.

Demonstrators gather with signs during a protest by Israeli left-wing activists against the war in the Gaza Strip and the planned ground operation in Rafah, on Feb. 13, 2024.

US softens objections to looming Israeli offensive in Rafah

Despite President Joe Biden’s charge that Israel’s conduct in Gaza has been “over the top," the Biden administration has threatened no consequences for the Israeli military's impending assault on Rafah.

Burns, Barnea and Al Thani met Egyptian officials in Cairo on Feb. 13, 2024, "to discuss a truce in Gaza."

Mossad chief leaves Cairo after talks with US, Egypt, Qatar on new Israel-Hamas deal

The meeting in Cairo between Israeli, American, Egyptian and Qatari top officials ended after several hours of discussions in an attempt to advance a deal for the release of hostages and a cease-fire in Gaza.

CIA Director William Burns arrives for a briefing on Ukraine at the US Capitol, Washington, Sept. 20, 2023.

CIA chief heads to Cairo for Mossad-Egypt-Qatar talks amid Rafah fears

CIA Director Bill Burns will discuss a new hostage deal with Egyptian and Qatari mediators in Cairo as Israel prepares to invade Rafah despite international and regional warnings.

People look at portraits of Israeli hostages held in Gaza since the October 7 attacks by Palestinian Hamas militants, as relatives and supporters rally calling for their release in Tel Aviv on February 3, 2024.

Two hostages rescued during Israeli operation in Gaza's Rafah

After postponing the operation several times, Israeli security forces entered early Monday morning the city of Rafah, rescuing two hostages.

lestinian Red Crescent volunteers and UN staff prepare to assist a Palestinian man reportedly shot by Israeli forces, Zeitoun district, outskirts of Gaza City, Nov. 25, 2023.

eSIMs offer connectivity lifeline for Gaza medics, journalists and residents

Emergency workers in Gaza have struggled through communications blackouts, but Egyptian activists have provided temporary connectivity for some in need with thousands of eSIMs.

MOHAMMED ABED/AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

Israel weighs bad options in Rafah as hunt for Sinwar continues

The Israeli military is still focused on fighting in Khan Younis but could shift into an operation in Rafah, and international observers are panicked.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Egyptian Red Crescent members load on a truck humanitarian aid for war-torn Gaza brought by a French air force Airbus A400M cargo aircraft at El-Arish International Airport on November 20, 2023 as Israel has vowed to destroy Gaza's rulers Hamas after the Palestinian militant group carried out the deadliest attack in the country's history on October 7. About 1,200 people, most of them civilians, were killed in Israel during Hamas's October 7 attack and around 240 taken hostage, according to Israeli officials

How Israel’s 'convoluted' inspections are hindering Gaza aid

Humanitarian groups say Israel's time-consuming inspections process and denial of "dual-use" goods is hampering aid delivery in the Gaza Strip.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (R) looks on as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken gives statements to the media inside The Kirya, which houses the Israeli Defence Ministry, after their meeting in Tel Aviv on Oct. 12, 2023.

Blinken in Israel says Hamas proposal 'creates space' for possible hostage deal

Although Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denounced Hamas’ response to a proposed hostage and cease-fire deal as “delusional,” US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said during a visit to the region that there’s still a chance for an agreement to be reached.